TMLOH 86

Chapter : 86

The moment it came into view, I recognized it.

Deep pink hair, lavish and flowing like a rose in full bloom. Eyes sparkling like stars.

‘―!’

The hair cascaded in wavy tendrils past plump white cheeks down to the waist.

A small body wrapped in a white robe, little hands holding some wizard’s hand.

Even just by smiling, it was a bright, sunny smile that made my body tremble.

‘It’s Chloe.’

The heroine of the novel.

Even though I’d only seen her in illustrations, for some reason, I recognized her instantly.

Where else would there be such a lovely child receiving all the love in the world? If she isn’t the protagonist, then who is?

“Arell?”

“Ah.”

Apparently, I had been holding my breath without realizing it.

I blinked rapidly. The dreamy, surreal feeling hadn’t left. Chloe was still before my eyes.

‘Why… why is she here…?’

I had known she would show up at the music meeting someday and had prepared myself mentally, but the shock of seeing her in person was extraordinary.

She was lovely.

Her bright, fresh smile, like lush, blossoming petals, immediately captured my eyes.

It was a smile as if she had gathered all the brightness in the world and exploded it like a flower bud.

A smile I could never imitate…

“Arell, are you feeling unwell…?”

“Mehen, just a moment!”

I couldn’t let Chloe disappear beyond the pillar like that. I hurriedly let go of Mehen’s hand and ran.

I heard someone calling from behind, but I had no time to care.

Perhaps the health management Pession had provided worked, because now a brief run wouldn’t make me faint.

I turned a corner, feeling a sudden sense of déjà vu from how times had changed.

“Ah!”

I ran into Chloe, standing alone in the corridor.

“Oh, sorry!”

“…….”

Even though we collided, seeing Chloe apologize to me left me speechless.

She was real.

Alive, speaking—the heroine herself.

My mind was in chaos. Didn’t Chloe’s appearance have a schedule? Had something changed again?

Does that mean she’ll come to the music meeting after the founding festival?

No question in my mind could find an answer.

The vague thought of my own death felt like it had suddenly surged closer, choking me.

“Um… are you okay?”

Golden eyes, deep and sparkling like stars, asked me kindly.

She looked down at the small, white hand stretched toward me, then withdrew.

“I’m fine.”

Probably.

I’d be fine.

Nothing would really change.

The feeling of floating and soaring into the sky instantly plummeted. The reality thrown onto the floor left my head spinning.

I stepped back and returned to Mehen. He stood there waiting for me.

“Arell…?”

I walked up and embraced Mehen again.

“Is something the matter?”

His gentle voice prompted me to rest my cheek against his hand.

“Just… let’s stay like this for a moment.”

“Chloe, what’s the matter?”

At the master’s voice, Chloe snapped out of her daze.

“Oh, I just met someone.”

“Someone? Do you know anyone here?”

Robert, the red-haired mage and Chloe’s teacher, tilted his head in curiosity. Though she was of imperial noble descent, it was still unusual.

Chloe smiled.

“We just bumped into each other.”

“You bumped into them and have that expression? Like you were spellbound.”

“Well… it was really a beautiful child.”

I had never seen a child so beautifully made. Her skin was white, like a sugar doll, and she seemed to exude sweetness if you got close.

“She was so pretty I almost reached out to touch her without thinking.”

Even the palace had children like that.

Chloe smiled shyly.

“I think it was really good, just as you said, that I came!”

“Yes, I brought you here beforehand to show you. Enjoy yourself until the Sky Tower arrives. Once it comes, we’ll be busy.”

“Yes!”

Holding her master’s hand, Chloe glanced back. Somehow, she couldn’t stop thinking about that child she had seen earlier.

‘I hope I can see them again.’

She hoped to meet her again.

“Valer, what’s wrong?”

At the call, Valer turned his head.

Ever since Mehen and Arellin disappeared from the ballroom, Valer’s desire to socialize had hit rock bottom.

The Duke of Sperom, whining about disposing of the remaining dragon byproducts, had already left with his group, and the Duke of Myubisk was with his knights.

Valer clung closely to Emperor Edward, ignoring everyone else.

“Your Majesty.”

“Yes, Duke.”

“I can already see some impatient mages from the Sky Tower.”

“They said a few of them wanted to come early individually to enjoy themselves.”

“I see.”

Other than the magical energy catching my attention, there were no problems.

Valer tilted his head, then squinted. Emperor Edward chided him.

“Why the expression on such a fine day?”

“What about my expression?”

“Hah, see how he speaks casually when there are no other nobles around.”

Edward found it cheeky but couldn’t scold him.

He was still Duke Halbern, after all.

“Smile a little. You usually smile well, but why so glum today?”

“My daughter and wife ignored me.”

“……?”

What did I just hear?

“Wi…fe?”

“There shouldn’t be a problem with the palace barrier, right?”

“Wife? You have a wife?!”

“I’ll step out for a moment.”

Leaving confusion and questions behind, Valer turned without hesitation.

“Valer! Duke!”

Emperor Edward called anxiously, but Valer had already disappeared.

‘Wait… Duke Halbern has a wife?’

He should have at least explained before leaving!

The room Mehen brought us to was in a separate annex connected to the palace where the banquet was held.

“If you’re having fun, I’ll come fetch you later.”

Children couldn’t possibly endure a late-night banquet until dawn.

So, the children here would either be sent back before midnight or sleep separately in the guest rooms.

“See you later.”

I said this cheerfully, but Mehen, suspecting something strange, didn’t immediately leave.

There were many children in the room.

Besides the ones from the music meeting, many new faces appeared.

‘There they are.’

Naturally, the twins and Harun were there too.

On any other day, I would have greeted them happily, but today wasn’t the mood.

I quietly stayed in the corner, as I always did before meeting Pession at the Crown Prince’s palace garden.

Thankfully, there were enough children that I didn’t stand out.

“Haah.”

I came to see Pession, and yet… what a mess I am in.

‘But I don’t want to see Pession in this mood.’

The children’s chatter, like white noise, made me feel a little at ease. Occasionally, a glance from their direction felt uncomfortable.

‘…Maybe I should go to the garden.’

Pession would return to the Crown Prince’s palace if it got too late, and staying in the garden until then seemed like a good idea.

I cautiously avoided the palace maid’s eyes and went into the garden.

Thanks to the scattered lights floating like fireflies, it wasn’t too dark despite the night. Summer was coming, so it wasn’t cold either.

“It’s quiet.”

The cool air made me breathe easier.

“Why am I like this?”

Just meeting the heroine had thrown me into such chaos. I already knew it, yet…

Still, the shock of seeing her in person was overwhelming. Looking at my hands, trembling faintly, it hit me—this is what I came to see.

‘Of course, someone like her would be loved by everyone.’

Unlike me.

Of course. Something I already painfully knew more than anyone. And yet, why did my chest tighten with such pain?

Ah, I hate it.

I sat on a bench, knees drawn up, burying my head.

“―Arellin.”

A voice I thought I couldn’t hear whispered at my side.

No, it couldn’t be…

It must be an auditory hallucination, right?

“Arell.”

Hearing Pession’s voice close by, I was breathless. The sensation of his hand on my shoulder felt distant.

Slowly lifting my head, the face I longed to see was there, close.

“Why are you here alone?”

Why does Pession always appear only at times like this?